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Bakersfield Jam Roundup: Year In Review

By Scott Chasen

Oct 16, 2014; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Phoenix Suns guard Archie Goodwin (20), forward T.J. Warren (12) and forward Earl Barron (30) walk up the court against the San Antonio Spurs at US Airways Center. Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Stewart-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 16, 2014; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Phoenix Suns guard Archie Goodwin (20), forward T.J. Warren (12) and forward Earl Barron (30) walk up the court against the San Antonio Spurs at US Airways Center. Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Stewart-USA TODAY Sports /
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Apr 10, 2015; New Orleans, LA, USA; Phoenix Suns guard Archie Goodwin (20) shoots the ball over New Orleans Pelicans guard Tyreke Evans (1) during the second half of a game at the Smoothie King Center. The Pelicans won 90-75. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 10, 2015; New Orleans, LA, USA; Phoenix Suns guard Archie Goodwin (20) shoots the ball over New Orleans Pelicans guard Tyreke Evans (1) during the second half of a game at the Smoothie King Center. The Pelicans won 90-75. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports /

Archie Goodwin:

In the 2013-14 season, at just 19 years old, Archie Goodwin quickly proved that he had NBA potential. While he struggled to find minutes for much of his rookie year, he certainly had his moments. Against the Sacramento Kings in November, for example, he went for 16 points on 7-of-10 shooting, and throughout the next couple months he’d sprinkle in points here and there.

In February, Goodwin had his best stretch of games, scoring at least nine points in three straight outings, the last two of which saw him go for a combined 26 points and 12 rebounds on 58 percent shooting from the field. By the end of the season, Goodwin was ready to break out, and he certainly did against the Kings (again), scoring 29 points on 11-of-13 shooting, while racking up four rebounds and two steals.

However, it wasn’t just about regular season NBA games for Goodwin.

In the D-League, Goodwin finished third in points per game (min. five games), averaging 27.0 points per game, while getting to the line nearly nine times per game. Additionally, he posted 5.2 rebounds per outing, while knocking down 39 percent of his three-point shots. It was a good indicator of things to come.

In the 2014-15 season, Archie Goodwin played 10 games for the Bakersfield Jam, scoring an average of 22.6 points per game. Goodwin’s free throw attempts per game rose, and he brought up his rebounds per game to 6.5. Simply put: It was a more aggressive Goodwin. However, it wasn’t a flawless year for the sophomore.

Back at the D-League Showcase in Santa Cruz, I actually spoke with Goodwin about his role on the team, and more than anything, he seemed disheartened. The Suns had just made the move to acquire Reggie Bullock, and Goodwin was feeling a little left out.

“They know what they’re doing, I guess,” Goodwin said of the Suns front office. “I don’t know how to feel about it. At the end of the day there’s nothing I can do about it.”

Ultimately, there was one thing that Goodwin COULD control: His play on the court. And that’s exactly what he did.

Goodwin was aggressive, and he attacked, but not to the point where it was a problem. Goodwin said he was worried about wins more than anything, but he didn’t want to step on any toes.

“I just came in to try to do my part. I didn’t want to be too much or act like I was the guy or anything,” Goodwin said. “I just wanted to play and be a part of the team.”

In the end, the hard work paid off.

From February on, Goodwin scored in double figures eight times, including in his first three games when he returned to the league. Goodwin continued to slash and to get to the line, which led to some fun results:

Next: Warren Joins The Jam

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